Italy after Brexit: And another one gone?

The narrow decision of the UK electorate to leave the European Union has illustrated that the integration of the bloc is not irreversible. Eurosceptic feeling, reflected by the increasing success of populist parties across the various nation states since the 2008 financial crisis, makes it possible that other such referenda could be held. However, despite disaffection, the majority of European electorates remain in favour of membership, making it unlikely that such referenda would happen, let alone succeed, even if weak links do exist. The weakest link is undoubtedly Italy. Although it is the third largest economy in the Eurozone (and fourth in the EU), forming one of the pillars of the bloc, an array of deep-seated factors is threatening a perfect storm.